Soccer can take you anywhere and Veronica Perez is living proof. She grew up playing in Northern California, became a star forward at the University of Washington, which led to her becoming a mainstay on the Mexico Women's National Team. Over the course of the last year she has featured for the Seattle Sounders in the W-League, helped Stjarnan FC to the Icelandic Women's Cup, and on Sunday will make her debut for Western New York Flash against Sky Blue FC in the opening weekend of the National Women's Soccer League. It hasn't always been so glorious for Perez, but through hard work and having ability, she is now living out her own dream on a soccer field every day of the week. Follow Perez on twitter: @VeronicaPerez17

Soccer Banter: Your first go round with professional soccer in America didn't end so well, with St Louis Athletica folding in your first year as a professional in 2010. Describe the struggles to continue to keep playing at a high level and improve your game in the absence of playing professional soccer in the United States the last few years?

Veronica Perez: It was a definite struggle, but if you are a competitive and serious player you look and find ways to keep training. You train by yourself, with a friend, with a wall, find a boys team, train with a college team - you do whatever it takes. Also 2010 was the year I started playing with the Mexican National team and we had several camps every month leading up to the 2011 World cup. So I was really lucky and blessed to be involved in that process. SB: Some would say you're a late bloomer as a soccer player, with your first appearance for the Mexican National Team program coming near the end of your college career. What would you attribute your success in your late development at a time when a majority of players are trading in their cleats for the real world?

VP: I've always been a soccer player and since I was little I knew playing professionally is what I wanted to do. I have a great group of people who I confide in (my family, some close friends and my college coaches). They are always there when I need advice, encouragement, and tough love. I think it has been patience, desire, passion, and a lot of hard work. SB: For those that haven't seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?VP: I like to combine and link up with players - dictating the flow of the game, being patient then picking moments to create situations on the field with my teammates. I am passionate and I enjoy playing the game. SB: Describe the feeling of representing Mexico at the national level and also what it has felt like playing against the country of your birth, the United States?VP: I am very proud to wear the Mexican jersey. It is the highest honor an athlete can have - to represent your country. When I put that jersey on - actually anytime I'm training or playing for Mexico you can guarantee that I am giving everything I have. People always ask me that. Yes I was born in the US. I am American. But I'm Mexican-American. I have dual citizenship and I think that's pretty awesome. It doesn't bother me, I’m proud to represent Mexico and my heritage. I'm competitive so I'm always going to want to win.

SB: What has been your most memorable moment as a soccer player?

VP: Scoring the game winning goal in the 2-1 win for Mexico to beat the United States and earn automatic qualification to the 2011 World Cup.

SB: Looking ahead to the NWSL season, what are your thoughts on playing for Western New York in an attack that also includes Abby Wambach and Carli Lloyd?VP: I'm going to be playing with the FIFA Women’s Player of the Year. That's sweet. It's going to be awesome to play with them and learn from them. They have experience, talent, and are winners. SB: Last question, and here is your chance to market NWSL - why should people attend a Western New York Flash match this season? VP: You're going to get 90 minutes of soccer the way it should be played. You're going to see a team with players who have their own story and background, but have come together with one goal in mind and that is to win a championship.